Sample analyzer

ABSTRACT

The present invention is to present a sample analyzer which is able to move a reagent container containing a reagent which a user desires to replace to a pick up position. The sample analyzer comprises: a holding section comprising a plurality of holding regions for holding reagent containers, and being capable of moving the holding regions; analyzing means for analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and the reagent contained in the reagent container held by the holding section; receiving means for receiving a specification of a holding region from the plurality of holding regions to replace or add a reagent; and control means for controlling the holding section so as to move the specified holding region to a replacement-addition position at which the reagent is replaced or added, when the receiving means receives the specification of the holding region.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese PatentApplication Nos. JP2006-180579 filed Jun. 30, 2006, and JP2007-137044filed May 23, 2007, the entire content of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sample analyzer, and specificallyrelates to a sample analyzer provided with a holding section beingcapable of holding a reagent container which contains a reagent.

BACKGROUND

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-321283 disclosesconventional sample analyzers which have a movable holding section beingcapable of holding reagent containers that contain reagent.

The sample analyzer disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent PublicationNo. 2000-321283 is provided with a housing means for housing a pluralityof reagent bottles that contain reagent, measuring means for measuringthe amount of residual reagent remaining in reagent bottles which arehoused in the housing means, specifying means for specifying reagentbottles to be replaced based on the measurement results of the measuringmeans, and moving means for moving a reagent bottle specified by thespecifying means to a predetermined position.

In sample analyzers that use a plurality of reagents, even though theamount of residual reagent remaining in a reagent container isinsufficient for measurement of a sample, it is not always necessary toreplace the reagent since the sample analyzers are able to hold areserve reagent container containing the same reagent as theinsufficient reagent. That is, insufficient reagent is not necessarily atarget to be replaced. On the other hand, it is sometimes necessary toreplace a reagent for reasons other than the insufficiency of thereagent. For example, a reagent whose validity date has expired needs tobe replaced. Accordingly, a problem arises in the sample analyzerdisclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-321283 thata reagent container which contains a reagent which a user desires toreplace is not always be moved to a predetermined position (pick upposition) at which the container is able to be picked up inasmuch as thecontainer containing insufficient reagent is automatically moved to thepick up position when the sample analyzer detects that reagent withinthe reagent container is insufficient.

SUMMARY

The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appendedclaims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within thissummary.

A first aspect of the present invention is a sample analyzer foranalyzing a sample, comprising: a holding section comprising a pluralityof holding regions for holding reagent containers, each of the reagentcontainers containing a reagent, and being capable of moving the holdingregions; analyzing means for analyzing a measurement sample prepared bymixing a sample and the reagent contained in the reagent container heldby the holding section; receiving means for receiving a specification ofa holding region from the plurality of holding regions to replace or adda reagent; and control means for controlling the holding section so asto move the specified holding region to a replacement-addition positionat which the reagent is replaced or added, when the receiving meansreceives the specification of the holding region.

A second aspect of the present invention is a sample analyzer foranalyzing a sample, comprising: a movable holding section for holding aplurality of reagent containers, each of the reagent containerscontaining a reagent; analyzing means for analyzing a measurement sampleprepared by mixing a sample and the reagent contained in the reagentcontainer held by the holding section; receiving means for receiving aspecification of a reagent from reagents contained in the plurality ofreagent containers held by the holding section; and control means forcontrolling the holding section so as to move the reagent containercontaining the specified reagent to a pick up position at which thereagent container is picked up, when the receiving means receives thespecification of the reagent.

A third aspect of the present invention is A sample analyzer foranalyzing a sample, comprising: a movable holding section for holding aplurality of reagent racks for holding reagent containers, each of thereagent containers containing a reagent; analyzing means for analyzing ameasurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and the reagent containedin the reagent container held in the reagent rack; receiving means forreceiving a specification of a reagent rack from the plurality ofreagent racks held by the holding section; and control means forcontrolling the holding section so as to move the specified reagent rackto a pick up position at which the reagent rack is picked up, when thereceiving means receives the specification of the reagent rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the general structure of anembodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sample analyzer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the measuring unit of the embodiment of thesample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the measuring unit and regentpreserving section of the embodiment of the sample analyzer of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the interior of the measuring unit andreagent preserving section shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control unit of the embodiment ofthe sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the reagent placing screen displayed on the display of thecontrol unit of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the reagent preserving section, reagentreplacement section, cuvette transporting section, first cover part, andsecond cover part of the embodiment of the sample analyzer of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the first cover part of theembodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the second cover part of theembodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the first cover part removed from the stateshown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the second cover part removed from the stateshown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 shows the first cover part and second cover part in a lockedcondition on the reagent replacement section shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 shows the first cover part and second cover part in an unlockedcondition on the reagent replacement section shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a first reagent container rack of theembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second reagent container rack of theembodiment;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of reagent container held in the firstreagent container rack shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of reagent containers held in the secondreagent container rack shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the embodiment of the sample analyzer ofthe present invention;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the measuring unit of the embodiment ofthe sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating the measuring process performed bythe controller of the measuring unit and the controller of the controlunit of the embodiment of the sample analyzer of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating the reagent replacement processperformed by the controller of the embodiment of the sample analyzer ofthe present invention;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating the reagent replacement processperformed by the controller of the measuring unit of the embodiment ofthe sample analyzer of the present invention; and

FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating the dispensing process performed bythe controller of the measuring unit of the embodiment of the sampleanalyzer of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter basedon the drawings.

The structure of the sample analyzer 1 as an embodiment of the presentinvention is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 through 20.

The embodiment of the sample analyzer 1 of the present inventionoptically measures and analyzes the amount and activity of specificsubstances found in blood related to coagulation and fibrinolysis, anduses blood plasma as a sample. In the sample analyzer 1 of the presentembodiment, such optical measurement (main measurement) of specimens areperformed using the coagulation time method, synthetic substrate method,and immunoturbidity method. The coagulation time method used in thepresent embodiment detects and measures the change in the transmissionlight during the sample coagulation process. Measurement items includePT (prothrombin time), APTT (active partial thromboplastin time), andFbg (fibrinogen content) and the like. Measurement items of thesynthetic substrate method include ATIII and the like, and those of theimmunoturbidity method include D-dimer, FDP and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sample analyzer 1 is configured by ameasuring unit 2, sample transporting unit 3 disposed on the front sideof the measuring unit 2, and a control unit 4 which is electricallyconnected to the measuring unit 2. The measuring unit 2 is provided witha cuvette acceptor 5 for inserting a cuvette 200 (refer to FIG. 4),which is a sample container, when performing a measurement. The cuvetteacceptor 5 is provided with a cover 5 a that is able to be opened andclosed, and a window 5 b through which the interior of the cuvetteinsertion part 5 is able to be viewed. Furthermore, an emergency stopbutton 1 a, and measurement start button 1 b are provided on the frontside of the cuvette acceptor 5. The cover 5 a (refer to FIG. 1) isprovided so a cuvette 200 is able to be inserted into the first hopper171 a (refer to FIG. 4) of a cuvette supplier 170, which is describedlater. A user is able to visually monitor the remaining quantity ofcuvettes 200 stored in the first hopper 171 a (refer to FIG. 4) throughthe window 5 b. The emergency stop button 1 a (refer to FIG. 1)functions to stop a measurement during an emergency. The measurementstart button 1 b (refer to FIG. 1) is configured so as to start ameasurement when the button is pressed. Thus, a user is able to start ameasurement immediately after a cuvette 200 has been inserted. Startingand stopping of a measurement may also be accomplished by an operationperformed by the control unit 4.

The control unit 4 is configured by a personal computer 401 (PC), andincludes a controller 4 a, display 4 b, and keyboard 4 c, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The controller 4 a functions to control the operations ofthe measuring unit 2 and transporting unit 3, and analyzes the opticalinformation of samples obtained by the measuring unit 2. The controller4 a is configured by a CPU, ROM, RAM and the like. Furthermore, thedisplay 4 b is provided to display information relating to interferencesubstances (hemoglobin, bilirubin, chyle (fats)) present in a sample,and analysis results obtained by the controller 4 a.

The structure of the control unit 4 is described below. As shown in FIG.6, the controller 4 a is mainly configured by a CPU 401 a, ROM 401 b,RAM 401 c, hard disk 401 d, reading device 401 e, I/O interface 401 f,communication interface 401 g, and image output interface 401 h. The CPU401 a, ROM 401 b, RAM 401 c, hard disk 401 d, reading device 401 e, I/Ointerface 401 f, communication interface 401 g, and image outputinterface 401 h are connected by a bus 401 i.

The CPU 401 a is capable of executing computer programs stored in theROM 401 b, and computer programs loaded in the RAM 401 c. The computer401 functions as the control unit 4 when the CPU 401 a executes anapplication program 404 a described later.

The ROM 401 b is configured by a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM or thelike, and stores computer programs executed by the CPU 401 a and dataand the like used in conjunction therewith.

The RAM 401 c is configured by SRAM, DRAM or the like. The RAM 401 c isused when reading the computer program recorded in the ROM 401 b and onthe hard disc 401 d. The RAM 401 c is further used as a work area of theCPU 401 a when these computer programs are being executed.

The hard disc 401 d contains various installed computer programs to beexecuted by the CPU 401 a such as an operating system and applicationprograms and the like, and data used in the execution of these computerprograms. Also installed on the hard disk 401 d is the applicationprogram 404 a used to calculate the presence and concentration ofinterference substances in the present embodiment.

The reading device 401 e is configured by a floppy disk drive, CD-ROMdrive, DVD-ROM drive or the like, and is capable of reading the computerprograms and data stored on a portable recording medium 404.Furthermore, the portable recording medium 404 may also store theapplication program 404 a in the present embodiment; the computer 401 iscapable of reading the application program 404 a from the portablerecording medium 404 and installing the application program 404 a on thehard disk 401 d.

Not only may the application program 404 a be provided by the portablerecording medium 404, it also may be provided from an external deviceconnected to the computer 401 so as to be capable of communication overan electric communication line by means of the electric communicationline (wire line or wireless). For example, the application program 404 amay be stored on the hard disk of a server computer connected to theinternet, such that the computer 401 a is able to access the servercomputer and download the application program 404 a, and then installthe application program 404 a on the hard disk 401 d.

Also installed on the hard disk 401 d is an operating system providing agraphical user interface, such as, for example, Windows (registeredtrademark) of Microsoft Corporation, U.S.A. In the followingdescription, the application program 404 a of the present embodimentoperates on such an operating system.

The I/O interface 401 f is configured by a serial interface such as aUSB, IEEE1394, RS232C or the like, parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE,IEEE1284 or the like, analog interface such as a D/A converter, A/Dconverter or the like. The keyboard 4 c is connected to the I/Ointerface 401 f, such that a user is able to input data in the computer401 using the keyboard 4 c.

The communication interface 401 g is, for example, and Ethernet(registered trademark) interface. The computer 401 is able to transmitand receive data to and from the measuring unit 2 using a predeterminedcommunication protocol via the communication interface 401 g.

The image output interface 401 h is connected to the display 4 bconfigured by an LCD, CRT or the like, such that image signalscorresponding to the image data received from the CPU 401 a is able tobe output to the display 4 b. The display 4 b displays an image (screen)in accordance with the input image signals.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the display 4 b iscapable of displaying a reagent placement screen 410 that displays thelayout of reagents in the reagent preserving section 6, which isdescribed later. The reagent placement screen 410 has a reagentplacement display region 420, reagent information display region 430,and command display region 440. The reagent placement screen 410 isprovided with a measurement start button 411 for starting themeasurement process in the sample analyzer 1, and a measurement stopbutton 412 for stopping the measurement. The display 4 b functions as atouch panel to allow selections and operations when a user directlytouches a button or the like displayed on the reagent placing screen410.

The reagent placement display region 420 includes a plurality of firstreagent display regions 421 for displaying the reagents disposed on afirst reagent table 11 which is described later, and a plurality ofsecond reagent display regions 422 for displaying the reagents disposedon a second reagent table 12 which also described later. The firstreagent display region 421 includes a position display 421 a fordisplaying the position of the reagent, reagent name display 421 b fordisplaying the name of the reagent, and remainder display 421 c fordisplaying the residual amount of the reagent. The second reagentdisplay region 422 includes a position display 422 a for displaying theposition of the reagent, reagent name display 422 b for displaying thename of the reagent, and remainder display 422 c for displaying theresidual amount of the reagent. The positions of the reagent displayedin the reagent name displays 421 a and 422 a are displayed when thebarcode reader 350 reads the barcodes 311 b and 312 b of the firstreagent container rack 310, and the barcodes 321 b through 326 b of thesecond reagent container rack 320, which are described later. Thereagent names displayed in the reagent name displays 421 b and 422 b aredisplayed by referencing a special table based on the values of thebarcodes 300 a of the reagent container 300 read by the barcode reader350. Moreover, the residual amount of the reagent displayed in theremainder displays 421 c and 422 c are displayed based on valuescalculated from the number of aspirations of the reagent and type ofcontainer that contains the reagent.

The first reagent display region 421 is divided in two parts in each ofthe regions corresponding to the five first reagent container racks 310(refer to FIG. 5) which are each capable of holding two reagentcontainers 300 disposed on the first reagent table 11 (refer to FIG. 5).The second reagent display region 422 s divided in six parts in each ofthe regions corresponding to the five second reagent container racks 320(refer to FIG. 5) which are each capable of holding six reagentcontainers 300 disposed on the second reagent table 12 (refer to FIG.5). That is, it is possible to confirm on the reagent placement screen410 how the reagents are placed, meaning at which positions on whichreagent container rack (first reagent container rack 310 or secondreagent container rack 320) and on which reagent table (first reagenttable 11 or second reagent table 12).

When the first reagent container rack 310 or second reagent containerrack 320 is not disposed on the first reagent table 11 or second reagenttable 12, nothing is displayed in the first reagent display region 421or second reagent display region 422. When the first reagent containerrack 310 or second reagent container rack 320 is disposed on the firstreagent table 11 or second reagent table 12, but the container rack doesnot hold a reagent container 300, only the position display 421 a orposition display 422 a is displayed in the first reagent display region421 or second reagent display region 422. This aspect is described morefully later.

The attribute information (holder number, reagent name, use sequence,usable residual amount (usable amount), number of remaining tests,agitation requirement, lot number, type of reagent container, reagentexpiration date, installation date and time and the like) of thespecified reagent is displayed in the first reagent display region 421or second reagent display region 422. A user is able to determine thereplacement period of the reagent by the reagent attribute information.

The command display region 440 includes a replace-add command button 440a for issuing instruction for the replacement or addition of reagent,edit button 440 b for editing the reagent information, and reagent lotsetting button 440 c for manually entering the reagent lot. In thepresent embodiment, a first reagent container rack 310 or second reagentcontainer rack 320 holding a reagent container 300 that contains aspecified reagent is moved to a position at which it is able to bepicked up from the sample analyzer 1 by selecting the replace-addcommand button 440 a when a reagent has been specified. When addingreagent, the first reagent display region 421 or second reagent displayregion 422, in which a reagent is not disposed, is specified, and thereplace-add button 440 a is selected. Thus, the first reagent containerrack 310 or second reagent container rack 320 that does not accommodatereagent is moved to the pick up position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the sample transporting unit 3 functionsto transport the rack 251 that holds a plurality (ten in the presentembodiment) of test tubes that contain samples to the aspiratingposition 2 a (refer to FIG. 3) of the measuring unit 2 to supply sampleto the measuring unit 2. Furthermore, the transport device 3 has a rackset region 3 a that accommodates the racks 251 that hold the test tubes250 containing unprocessed specimens, and a rack receiving region 3 bthat accommodates the racks 251 that hold test tubes 250 containingprocessed specimens.

The measuring unit 2 is capable of obtaining optical information relatedto a supplied sample by optically measuring the sample supplied from thetransporting unit 3. In the present embodiment, a sample is dispensedfrom the test tube 250 disposed in the rack 251 of the transporting unit3 into a cuvette 200 of the measuring unit 2, and is then opticallymeasured as shown in FIG. 3, the measuring unit 2 includes a reagentstoring part 6 and for storing reagent, and a reagent replacing part 7for replacing or adding reagent.

As shown in FIG. 19, the measuring unit 2 has a sample dispensing drivepart 80 a, sample dispensing drive part 130 a, first drive part 502,second drive part 503, first sensor 51, second sensor 52, reagentbarcode reader 350, sample barcode reader 3 c, first optical informationobtaining part 90, second optical information obtaining part 140, and acontroller 501 that is electrically connected to transporting unit 3,etc.

The sample dispensing drive part 80 a is provided with a stepping motor80 b that functions to raise, lower and rotate a sample dispensing arm80 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 5) which is described later, drive circuit (notshown in the drawings) for actuating the stepping motor 80 b, and a pump(not shown in the drawing) for suctioning and dispensing sample.

The reagent dispensing drive part 130 a is provided with a steppingmotor 130 b that functions to raise, lower and rotate a reagentdispensing arm 130 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 5) which is described later,drive circuit (not shown in the drawings) for actuating the steppingmotor 130 b, and a pump (not shown in the drawing) for suctioning anddispensing reagent.

The first drive part 501 is provided with a first stepping motor (notshown in the drawing) that functions to rotate the first reagent table11 which is described later, and a drive circuit (not shown in thedrawing) for actuating the first stepping motor. The first reagent table11 rotates an amount commensurate with the number of pulses of the drivepulse signals supplied from the controller 501 to the first drive part502, then stops.

The second drive part 503 is provided with a second stepping motor (notshown in the drawing) that functions to rotate the second reagent table12 (refer to FIG. 5), and a drive circuit (not shown in the drawing) foractuating the second stepping motor. The second reagent table 12 rotatesan amount commensurate with the number of pulses of the drive pulsesignals supplied from the controller 501 to the second drive part 503,then stops.

The controller 501 controls the rotational movement of each reagenttable 11 and 12 by determining the amount of rotational movement fromthe origin positions of the reagent tables 11 and 12 by counting thenumber of pulses of the supplied drive pulse signals.

The sensor 51 functions to detect the lock status of the first cover 30(refer to FIG. 3) which is described later, and to transmit a locksignal to the controller 501 when the first cover 30 is locked.

Similarly, the sensor 52 functions to detect the lock status of thesecond cover 40 (refer to FIG. 3) which is described later, and totransmit a lock signal to the controller 501 when the second cover 40 islocked.

The reagent barcode reader 350 functions to read each of the barcodes onthe first reagent table 11 and second reagent table 12, and is disposedat a predetermined distance from the reagent storing part 6 in thevicinity of the side surface 21 of the reagent storing part 6 which isdescribed later. The reagent barcode reader 350 is able to transmit andreceive data to/from the controller 501, and has a drive circuit (notshown in the drawings) for controlling the ON/OFF condition of thereagent barcode reader 350. The position of the reagent barcode reader350 is normally fixed.

The sample barcode reader 3 c functions to read the barcode adhered tothe test tube 250 that contains a sample and is loaded in the rack 251that is transported by the transporting unit 3, and is provided oppositethe rack 251 that is transported by the transporting unit 3 and in thevicinity of the aspirating position 2 a of the previously mentionedmeasuring unit 2. The sample barcode reader 3 c is able to transmit andreceive data to/from the controller 501, and has a drive circuit (notshown in the drawings) for controlling the ON/OFF condition of thereagent barcode reader 3 c. The position of the sample barcode reader 3c is normally fixed.

The first optical information obtaining part 90 and the second opticalinformation obtaining part 140 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 5) function toobtain the optical information of samples, and are capable oftransmitting and receiving data to/from the controller 501. The firstoptical information obtaining part 90 and the second optical informationobtaining part 140 are described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 20, the controller 501 is mainly configured by a CPU501 a, ROM 501 b, RAM 501 c, and communication interface 501 d.

The CPU 501 a is capable of executing computer programs stored in theROM 501 b, and computer programs loaded in the RAM 501 c. The ROM 501 bstores the computer programs executed by the CPU 501 a, and the data andthe like used in the execution of the computer programs. The RAM 501 cis used when reading the computer programs stored in the ROM 501 b. TheRAM 501 c is further used as a work area of the CPU 501 a when thesecomputer programs are being executed.

The communication interface 501 d is connected to the control unit 4,and functions to transmit sample optical information to the control unit4 and receive signals from the control unit 4. The communicationinterface 501 d further functions to transmit commands from the CPU 501a to drive the various parts of the transporting unit 3 and measuringunit 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the measuring unit 2 includes a reagent storing part6 and for storing reagent, and a reagent replacing part 7 for replacingor adding reagent.

The reagent storing part 6 is provided to store the reagent containers300 that contained the reagent added to sample within the cuvette 200 ata low temperature (approximately 10 degrees Centigrade), and transportthe reagent containers 300 in a rotary direction. Deterioration of thereagent is prevented by preserving the reagent at low temperature. Asshown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the reagent storing part 6 includes areagent transporting part 10 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 5) for holding andmoving reagent rotationally, and an outer wall 20 (refer to FIG. 3)provided to cover the perimeter and top of the reagent transporting part10. The reagent transporting part 10 that holds the reagent is disposedin a cooled region formed by the outer wall 20, first cover 30 andsecond cover 40 of the reagent replacing part 7 which is describedlater.

The reagent transporting part 10 includes a circular first reagent table11, and annular second reagent table 12 which is disposed on the outerside of the circular first reagent table to as to be concentrictherewith, as shown in FIG. 5. The first reagent table 11 and secondreagent table 12 accommodate, so as to be removable, the first reagentcontainer racks 310 and second reagent container racks 320 that hold thereagent containers 300. The outer wall 20 is configured by a sidesurface 21 (refer to FIG. 4), a top surface 22 that is fixedly attachedto the side surface 21 (refer to FIG. 3), and a removable cover 23(refer to FIG. 3). Furthermore, the barcode reader 350 is disposed at apredetermined distance from the reagent storing part 6 in the vicinityof the side surface 21 (refer to FIG. 4) of the reagent storing part 6.

The first reagent table 11 and second reagent table 12 are mutually andindependently rotatable in both clockwise and counterclockwisedirections. Thus, the first reagent container racks 310 and secondreagent container racks 320 that hold the reagent containers 300containing reagent are transported in a rotational direction by thefirst reagent table 11 and second reagent table 12. The reagent to bedispensed is able to thus be placed near the reagent dispensing arm 130by transporting the reagent container 300 in a rotational direction whenthe reagent dispensing arm 130 is to dispense reagent in a mannerdescribed later.

A heat-insulating material (not shown in the drawing) is mounted on theside surface 21 of the outer wall 20 to prevent the cool air within thereagent storing part 6 (cooled region) from escaping. As shown in FIG.4, a shutter 21 a that is able to be opened and closed is provided at aposition opposite the barcode reader 350 on the side surface 21 of theouter wall 20. The shutter 21 a is configured so as to open only whenthe barcode reader 350 reads the barcode on the first reagent containers310 and second reagent containers 320. Thus, the cool air within thereagent storing part 6 (cooled region) is prevented from escaping to theoutside.

As shown in FIG. 3, the top surface 22 of the outer wall 20 includesthree holes 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c. Reagent stored in the reagent storingpart 6 is aspirated by the reagent dispensing arm 130 through the threeholes 22 a, 22 b, 22 c. The hole 22 a is positioned above the reagentcontainer 300 held in the first reagent container rack 310. Reagent isaspirated from the reagent container 300 held in the first reagentcontainer rack 310 through the hole 22 a. The holes 22 b and 22 c arerespectively positioned above the reagent containers 300 held in thefront and the back row in the second reagent container table 320.Reagent is aspirated from the reagent containers 300 held in the frontand the back row in the second reagent container table 320 through theholes 22 b and 22 c.

A semicircular opening is formed in the reagent storing part 6 (cooledregion) by removing the cover 23 together with the first cover 30 andsecond cover 40. The first reagent container rack 310 and second reagentcontainer rack 320 are able to be positioned in the reagent storing part6 through this opening when starting the measurement performed in thesample analyzer 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first reagent container rack 310 has fivepositions on the first reagent table 11. The reagent containers 300 aredisposed in a ring in the five reagent container racks 310. As shown inFIGS. 15 and 17, the first reagent container rack 310 includes twoholders 311 and 312 for holding reagent containers 300, slots 311 a and312 a respectively provided on the front side of the holders 311 and312, and one handle 313 provided so as to project upward. As shown inFIG. 17, the holders 311 and 312 are round in shape when viewed on aplane, and are capable of holding the reagent container 300 when thecylindrical reagent container 300 is inserted. Reagent containers 300that have an external diameter that is smaller than the internaldiameter of the holders 311 and 312 are able to be held by the holders311 and 312 by mounting an adapter (not shown in the drawing) in theholders 311 and 312. The first reagent container rack 310 furtherincludes two types of racks formed to allow different combinations ofinternal diameters of the holders 311 and 312. A user may utilizereagent containers 300 of difference sizes by changing the type of rack.Barcodes 311 b and 312 b are provided on the front side of the outersurface of the holders 311 and 312, respectively, and barcodes 311 c and312 c are provided on the inside surfaces of the holders 311 and 312,respectively.

The two holders 311 and 312 are able to hold one at a time a pluralityof reagent containers 300 that contain various reagents to be added whenpreparing a measuring sample from a specimen. That is, ten (2×5=10)reagent containers 300 are able to be accommodated in the first reagenttable 11. The slots 311 a and 312 a are provided to allow the barcodereader 350 to read the barcodes 311 c and 312 c, respectively. Thehandle 313 is held when removing the first reagent container rack 310from the reagent storing part 6.

The barcodes 311 b and 312 b include position information foridentifying the position of the holders 311 and 312, respectively. Thebarcodes 311 c and 312 c include information indicating thepresence/absence of a reagent container 300 hold in the holders 311 and312 (no reagent container information). The barcode 300 a of the reagentcontainer 300 includes information for specifying the attributeinformation (holder number, reagent name, reagent container type, lotnumber, reagent valid period and the like) of the reagent contained inthe reagent container 300. That is, the holder number is basicallyspecified in the barcode 300 a of the reagent container 300 read by thebarcode reader 350. That is, the reagent name, reagent container type,lot number, reagent valid period and the like are basically specified inthe barcode 300 a of the reagent container 300 read by the barcodereader 350.

When the holder 311 holds a reagent container 300, the barcode 300 a ofthe reagent container 300 is read and the barcode 311 c is not read.That is, when the barcode 300 a is read after the barcode 311 b has beenread by the barcode reader 350, the controller 4 a recognizes via thebarcode reader 350 that a reagent possessing reagent information is heldin the holder 311. Furthermore, when the barcode 311 c is read after thebarcode 311 b has been read by the barcode reader 350, the controller 4a recognizes that a reagent is not held in the holder 311. When eitherthe barcode 300 a or barcode 311 c is not read after the barcode 311 bhas been read by the barcode reader 350 (as when a reagent container 300is oriented horizontally), the controller 4 a recognizes a reading errorand a reading error message is displayed on the display 4 b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the five second reagent container racks 320 are ableto be accommodated in the second reagent table 12. The reagentcontainers 300 are disposed in a ring in the five reagent containerracks 320. One location among the gaps between the five places of themutually adjacent second reagent container racks 320 has a space largerthan the spaces of the other four locations. The barcodes 311 b and 312b of the first reagent container rack 310 disposed on the first reagenttable 11 positioned within the second reagent table 2, and the barcode300 a of the reagent container 300 held by the first reagent rack 310 isable to be read by the barcode reader 350 positioned on the outside ofthe reagent storing part 6 through the large-space gap 12 a. as shown inFIGS. 16 and 18, the second reagent container rack 320 includes sixholders 321 through 326 for holding reagent containers 300, slots 321 athrough 326 a respectively provided on the front side of the holders 321through 326, and one handle 327 provided so as to project upward. Theholders 321 through 326 of the second reagent container rack 320 iscircular, and capable of holding cylindrical reagent containers 300inserted therein, similar to the first reagent container rack 310. Thesecond reagent container rack 320 includes three types of racks formedso as to have respectively different combinations of internal diametersamong the holders 321 through 326. The second reagent container rack 320is capable of accommodating the same reagents as those accommodated inthe first reagent container rack 310.

Barcodes 321 b and 322 b are provided on both sides of the front rowslot 321 a. Similarly, the barcodes 323 b and 324 b and barcodes 325 band 326 b are respectively provided on both sides of slot 323 a and slot325 a. The barcodes 321 c through 326 c are respectively provided on theinside surface of the holders 321 through 326.

The barcodes 321 b through 326 b include position information foridentifying the position of the holders 321 through 326. The barcodes321 c and 326 c include information indicating the presence/absence of areagent container 300 hold in the holders 321 through 326 (no reagentcontainer information).

The reagent information and no reagent container information read by thebarcode reader 350 are stored on the hard disk 401 d by the controller 4a with the corresponding position information. The information stored onthe hard disk 401 d is displayed on the reagent placement screen 410 onthe display 4 b via the controller 4 a of the control unit 4.

The barcodes 311 b, 312 b, and 321 b through 326 b display four-unitvalues. The first column has a value of either [A] or [B]; the value [A]indicates the reagent container 300 is disposed on the second reagenttable 12, and the value [B] indicates the reagent container 300 isdisposed on the first reagent table 11. The second column has a value of[1] to [5]; the values [1] through [3] respectively indicate the threeshape types of the second reagent container rack 320, and the values [4]and [5] indicate the two shape types of the first reagent container rack310. The third column has a value of [0] to [9] indicating the number ofthe first reagent container rack 310 or second reagent container rack320. In the barcodes 311 b and 312 b of the first reagent container rack310, the fourth column has a value of either [1] or [2]; the values [1]and [2] respectively indicate the holder 311 and 312. In the barcodes321 b and 326 b of the second reagent container rack 320, the fourthcolumn has a value of [1] to [6]; the values [1] through [6]respectively indicate the holders 321 through 326. The barcode values(barcodes 311 b, 312 b, and 321 b through 326 b) are displayed in theposition display area 421 a or 422 a of the reagent display region(first reagent display region 421 or second reagent display region 422)of the reagent placement screen 410, as shown in FIG. 7. For example, abarcode value [A15-6] represents the rack corresponds type [1] among thethree types of racks that are able to be accepted in the second reagenttable 12 (second reagent container rack 320), in the sixth holder(holder 326) of the fifth rack of the second reagent container racks320.

The reagent name and no reagent container information among theattribute information are displayed in the reagent name display area 421b and 422 b of the first reagent display region 421 and the secondreagent display region 422 in the reagent placement screen 410. As shownin FIG. 7, the reagent name is displayed in the reagent name displayarea 421 b or 422 b when a reagent is placed, and nothing is displayedin the reagent name area 421 b or 422 b when a reagent is not placed. InFIG. 7, for example, the reagent name [PT-TPC+] is placed at reagentposition [A15-6], and no reagent id placed at the reagent position[A28-1]. Since the barcode reader 350 does not read a barcode when thereagent container rack itself is not placed, nothing is displayed in thefirst reagent display area 421 or second reagent display area 422corresponding to the region of the missing first reagent container rack310 or the second reagent container rack 320.

The reagent replacing part 7 is provided near the center of the sampleanalyzer 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the present embodiment, thereagent replacing part 7 includes a first cover 30 and second cover 40respectively provided for the locking devices 31 and 41 so as to beremovable, sensor 50 (refer to FIGS. 13 and 14) for detecting the lockstatus of the first cover 30 and second cover 40, and an indicator 60for alerting a user to the transport status of the first reagent table11 and second reagent table 12, as shown in FIGS. 8 through 14. Theunlocked condition of the of the locking device 31 of the locking device30 and the locking device 41 of the second cover 40 are shown in FIG.13, and the locked condition of the locking device 31 of the first cover30 and the locking device 41 of the second cover 40 are shown in FIG.14.

The first cover 30 is able to be removed when replacing the reagentcontainers 300 placed to the first reagent table 11 (first reagentcontainer rack 310), as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. The first cover 30 hasa fan-like configuration and is mounted above the first reagent table11. The size and shape of the first cover 30 allow only a single firstreagent container rack 310 to be removed when the first cover 30 hasbeen removed. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the locking device 31 of thefirst cover 30 is provided to lock the first cover 30 during normal useor after reagent replacement or addition has been completed, and isprovided so that the controller 4 a is aware when reagent replacement oraddition has been completed in the first reagent table 11.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 13, and 14, the locking device 31 of the firstcover 30 is configured by a handle 32 that is rotatable by a user so asto pivot on a rotating shaft 32 a, relay member 33 for integratedlyrotating the handle 32 to pivot on the rotating shaft 32 a, lockingmember 34 capable of engaging with the relay member 33 and rotating on arotating shaft 34 a, and lock sensing member 35 for engaging the relaymember 33 and rotating on a rotating shaft 35 a. The locking member 34is provided with a hook 34 b on the end on the opposite side from therelay member 33. The locking member 35 is provided, at the end on theopposite side from the relay member 33, with a pressing piece 35 b(refer to FIG. 9) for pressing a microswitch 51 a of a sensor 50 whenthe cover 30 is locked. As shown in FIGS. 11, 13, and 14, a cylindricalconnector 6 a is fixedly mounted to the center of the reagent storingpart 6, and connects to the hook 34 b of the hook member 34. The outerdiameter of the cylindrical connector 6 a is greater than the innerdiameter of the hook 34 b. A channel 6 b having an outer diametersubstantially the same as the inner diameter of the hook 34 is providedat a position corresponding to the hook 34 b of the cylindricalconnector 6 a.

When the handle 32 is rotated in the arrow A direction on the rotatingshaft 32 a from the unlocked state shown in FIG. 13, the relay member 33is also rotated in the arrow A direction on the rotating shaft 32 a.Since the hook member 34 engages the relay member 33, the hook member 34is rotated in the arrow B direction on the rotating shaft 34 a inconjunction with the rotation of the relay member 33 in the arrow Adirection. Therefore, the hook 34 b of the hook member 34 engages thechannel 6 b of the cylindrical connecting part 6 a and becomes locked.

When a user attempts to remove the first cover 30 in the locked state,removal of the first cover 30 is prevented by the engagement of the hook34 b of the hook member 34 in the channel 6 b of the connector 6 a.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the second cover 40 is able to be removedwhen replacing a reagent container 300 placed on the second reagenttable 12 (second reagent container rack 320). The second cover 40 ismounted above the second reagent table 12 on the outer side of the firstcover 30. The size and shape of the second cover 40 allow only a singlesecond reagent container rack 320 to be removed when the second cover 40has been removed. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the locking device 41 ofthe second cover 40 is provided to lock the second cover 40 duringnormal use or after reagent replacement or addition has been completed,and is provided so that the controller 4 a is aware when reagentreplacement or addition has been completed in the second reagent table12.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 13, and 14, the locking device 41 of the secondcover 40 is configured by a handle 42 that is rotatable by a user so asto pivot on a rotating shaft 42 a, bifurcated relay member 43 forintegratedly rotating the handle 42 to pivot on the rotating shaft 42 a,locking member 44 capable of engaging with the relay member 43 androtating on a rotating shaft 44 a, and lock sensing member 45 forengaging the relay member 43 and rotating on a rotating shaft 45 a. Thelocking member 44 is provided with a convex lock 44 b on the endopposite from the relay member 43 (refer to FIG. 10). The locking member45 is provided, at the end on the opposite side from the relay member43, with a pressing piece 45 b (refer to FIG. 10) for pressing amicroswitch 52 a of a sensor 50 when the cover 40 is locked. A secondcover mount 46 attached to the second cover 40 (refer to FIGS. 13 and14) is provided, a position corresponding to the lock 44 b, with aconnector hole 46 a for connecting with the lock 44 b.

When the handle 42 is rotated in the arrow C direction on the rotatingshaft 42 a from the unlocked state shown in FIG. 13, the relay member 43is also rotated in the arrow C direction on the rotating shaft 42 a.Since the hook member 44 engages the relay member 43, the hook member 44is rotated in the arrow D direction on the rotating shaft 44 a inconjunction with the rotation of the relay member 43 in the arrow Cdirection. Therefore, the hook 44 b of the hook member 44 engages theconnector hook 46 a of the second cover mount 46 and becomes locked.

When a user attempts to remove the first cover 40 in the locked state,removal of the first cover 40 is prevented by the engagement of the hook44 b of the hook member 44 in the connector hole 46 a of the secondcover mount 46.

The sensor 50 includes a first sensor 51 and second sensor 52 forrespectively detecting the locked state of the first cover 30 and secondcover 40. The first sensor 51 includes a microswitch 51 a, and flatspring 51 b. The second sensor 52 includes a microswitch 52 a, and aflat spring 52 b.

The first sensor 51 is configured such that the microswitch 51 a detectsthe locked state of the first cover 30 when the flat spring 51 b ispressed by the pressing piece 35 b of the locking device 31 of the firstcover 30, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Specifically, the lock detectingmember 35, which is engaged with the relay member 33, is rotated in thearrow E direction on the rotating shaft 35 a by the relay member 33which is rotated in the arrow A direction together with the handle 32when the first cover 30 is being locked. Therefore, the microswitch 51 ais pressed by the flat spring 51 b of the first sensor 51 since the flatspring 51 b of the first sensor 51 is engaged when the pressing piece 35b of the lock sensing member 35 is rotated in the arrow E direction. Thelocked condition of the first cover 30 is detected by the first sensor51 since the lock 34 b of the locking device 31 is engaged with thecylindrical connector 6 a while in this condition. The first sensor 51transmits a signal to the controller 4 a that indicates the first cover30 is locked when the locked status of the first cover 30 has beendetected.

Similarly, the second sensor 52 is configured such that the microswitch52 a detects the locked state of the second cover 40 when the flatspring 52 b is pressed by the pressing piece 45 b of the locking device41 of the second cover 40. Specifically, the lock detecting member 45,which is engaged with the relay member 43, is rotated in the arrow Fdirection on the rotating shaft 45 a by the relay member 43 which isrotated in the arrow C direction together with the handle 42 when thesecond cover 40 is being locked. Therefore, the microswitch 52 a ispressed by the flat spring 52 b of the second sensor 52 since the flatspring 52 b of the second sensor 52 is engaged when the pressing piece45 b of the lock sensing member 45 is rotated in the arrow F direction.The locked condition of the second cover 40 is detected by the secondsensor 52 since the lock 44 b of the locking device 41 is engaged withthe connector hole 46 a of the second cover mount 46 while in thiscondition. The second sensor 52 transmits a signal to the controller 4 athat indicates the second cover 40 is locked when the locked status ofthe second cover 40 has been detected.

The indicator 60 includes three LED indicators 61, 62, and 63. As shownin FIGS. 1 and 3, the three LED indicators 61, 62, and 63 are arrangedin a row at predetermined distance in the vicinity of the second cover40, and are visible to a user from outside the sample analyzer 1. TheLED indicators 61, 62, and 63 are capable of emitting blue light or redlight.

The LED indicator 61 functions to alert the user that the first reagentcontainer rack 310 corresponding to the reagent on the first reagenttable 11 specified by the user on the reagent placement screen 410 hasbeen moved to the pick up position at which the reagent is able to bereplaced (below the first cover 30). Specifically, the LED indicator 61emits a red light during the rotation of the first reagent table 11, andemits a blue light when the first reagent container rack 310corresponding to the specified reagent on the first reagent table 11 hasmoved to the pick up position and stopped. Thus, the user is alerted tothe timing with which to remove the first cover 30 in order to add orreplace the reagent.

The LED indicator 62 functions to alert the user that the second reagentcontainer rack 320 corresponding to the reagent on the second reagenttable 12 specified by the user on the reagent placement screen 410 hasbeen moved to the pick up position at which the reagent is able to bereplaced (below the second cover 40). Specifically, the LED indicator 62emits a red light during the rotation of the second reagent table 12,and emits a blue light when the second reagent container rack 320corresponding to the specified reagent on the second reagent table 12has moved to the pick up position and stopped, similar to the LEDindicator 61.

The LED indicator 63 functions to alert the user of the operating statusof the cuvette moving table 71 which is described later. That is, whenmeasuring a predetermined substance, the LED indicator 63 alerts theuser of the timing by which to remove the cover 73 (refer to FIG. 8)positioned above the cuvette moving table 71 in order to add or replacea special cuvette (not shown in the drawing) on the cuvette moving table71. The LED indicator 63 emits a red light while the cuvette movingtable 71 is rotating, and emits a blue light when the cuvette movingtable 71 has stopped.

In the present embodiment, when the user locks the first cover 30 orsecond cover 40 after replacing or adding reagent, the sample analyzer Iautomatically reads the barcode 300 a of all reagent containers 300 heldin the first reagent container racks 310 or second reagent containerracks 320 that hold replaced reagent. Therefore, when, for example, asingle reagent has been specified a command has been issued to replacethe reagent, post replacement reagent placement is accurately displayedon the reagent placement screen 410 as if reagent other than thespecified reagent has been replaced in the first reagent container rack310 or second reagent container rack 320 in addition to the specifiedreagent.

As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the measuring unit 2 is provided with acuvette moving section 7, sample dispensing arm 80, first opticalinformation obtainer 90, lamp unit 100, heater 110, cuvette movingsection 120, reagent dispensing arm 130, second optical informationobtainer 140, urgent sample section 150, fluid flow section 160, andcuvette supplying device 170.

The cuvette moving section 170 functions to transport the cuvettes 20 tothe various parts of the sample analyzer 1. The cuvette moving section170 is configured by an annular cuvette moving table 71 disposed outsidethe annular second reagent table 12, a plurality of cylindrical cuvetteholders 72 provided at predetermined intervals along the circumferenceof the cuvette moving table 71, and a cover 73 provided above thecuvette moving table 71 (refer to FIG. 8). The cuvette holders 72 areprovided to each hold a single cuvette 200. The cover 73 is providedwith a hole 73 a through which reagent is dispensed to the cuvette 200by the reagent dispensing arm 80 which is described later. A measurementsample is prepared by dispensing the reagent stored in the reagentstoring part 6 and sample contained in the test tube 250 of thetransporting unit 3 to the cuvette 200 held by the cuvette holder 72 ofthe cuvette moving table 71 (refer to FIG. 5).

The sample dispensing arm 80 functions to aspirate sample contained inthe test tube 250 transported to the aspirating position 2 a by thetransporting unit 3, and dispense the aspirated sample through the hole73 a into the cuvette 200 held by the cuvette holder 72 of the cuvettemoving table 71.

The first optical information acquiring section 90 is configured so asto acquire optical information from a specimen in order to measure thepresence and concentration of interference substances (hemoglobin,bilirubin, chyle) in the specimen before adding reagent. Specifically,the presence and concentrations of interference substances are measuredusing four types of light (405 nm, 575 nm, 660 nm, 800 nm) among fivetypes of light (340 nm, 405 nm, 575 nm, 660 nm, 800 nm) emitted from thelamp unit 100 which is described later. The 405 nm wavelength light isabsorbed by chyle, hemoglobin, and bilirubin. That is, chyle,hemoglobin, and bilirubin influence the optical information measuredusing light at a wavelength of 405 nm. Furthermore, light at awavelength of 575 nm is absorbed by chyle and hemoglobin, althoughessentially is not absorbed by bilirubin. That is, chyle and hemoglobininfluence the optical information measured using light at a wavelengthof 575 nm. Light at wavelengths of 660 nm and 800 nm are absorbed bychyle, although essentially are not absorbed by bilirubin andhemoglobin. That is, chyle influences the optical information measuredusing light at wavelengths of 660 nm and 800 nm. Chyle absorbs lightfrom the low wavelength region 405 nm to the high wavelength region 800nm, with chyle absorbing more light at the 660 nm wavelength than at the800 nm wavelength. That is, the optical information measured using lightat the 800 nm wavelength is less influenced by chyle than opticalinformation at the 660 nm wavelength.

The acquisition of sample optical information by the first opticalinformation obtainer 90 is performed before optically measuring (mainmeasurement) the sample by the second optical information obtainer 140.The first optical information obtainer 90 obtains optical informationfrom the sample within the cuvette 200 held by the holder 72 of thecuvette moving table 71.

The first optical information obtainer 90 is electrically connected tothe controller 4 a of the control unit 4, and transmits data (opticalinformation) obtained by the first optical information obtainer 90 tothe controller 4 a of the control unit 4. Thus, in the control unit 4,the light absorbance of the sample within the cuvette 200 is determinedrelative to the five kinds of light emitted from a beam splitter opticalfiber 101, and the presence and concentrations of interferencesubstances in the sample are analyzed by performing data analysis of thedata from the first optical information obtainer 90. In the presentembodiment, a determination is made as to whether or not to analyzeoptical information acquired by the second optical information obtainer140 based on the presence and concentrations of interference substancesin the sample.

The lamp unit 100 is provided to supply light of five wavelengths (340nm, 405 nm, 575 nm, 660 nm, 800 nm) to be used for the opticalmeasurements performed by the first optical information obtainer 90 andthe second optical information obtainer 140, as shown in FIG. 5. Thatis, a single lamp unit 100 is configured so as to be used jointly by thefirst optical information obtainer 90 and second optical informationobtainer 140. The light of the lamp unit 100 is supplied to the firstoptical information obtainer 90 and the second optical informationobtainer 140 by the beam splitter optical fiber 101 and beam splitteroptical fiber 102, respectively.

The heater 110 is an incubation plate 111, and is provided with tenconcave cuvette holders 111 a. The cuvette holders 111 a are eachcapable of holding a single cuvette 200, and function heat the samplewithin the cuvette 200 to approximately 37 degrees Centigrade by holdingthe cuvette 200 containing the dispensed sample for several minutes inthe cuvette holder 111 a. After the sample has been heated by the heater110, reagent dispensing and measuring are performed within a set time.Thus, deterioration of the sample and the measurement sample preparedfrom the sample and reagent is prevented, and measurement results arestabilized.

The cuvette moving section 120 is provided to move the cuvettes 200among the cuvette moving section 70, heater 110, and second opticalinformation obtainer 140. The cuvette moving section 120 includes acatcher 121 for holding the cuvette 200, and a drive part 122 for movingthe catcher 121. The catcher 121 is movable within a moving range 120 aby means of the drive force of the drive part 122, and moves the cuvette200 among the cuvette moving section 70, heater 110, and the measurementfeeder 141 second optical information obtainer 140. The catcher 121 isprovided with an oscillating function so as to be capable of agitatingthe reagent and sample within the cuvette 200 by oscillating the cuvette200 while the cuvette 200 is held in the catcher 121.

The reagent dispensing arm 130 is provided to mix the reagent in thesample within the cuvette 200 by dispensing the reagent within thereagent container 300 placed in the reagent storing part 6 to thecuvette 200, as shown in FIGS. 3 through 5. Specifically, reagent isaspirated through either the hole 22 a, 22 b, or 22 c of the outer wall20 of the reagent storing part 6, the cuvette 200 is heated (37 degreesCentigrade), then removed from the cuvette holder 111 a of the heater110 and held by the catcher 121, whereupon the aspirated reagent isdispensed to the cuvette 200. The pipette part of the reagent dispensingarm 130 is provided with a heating function, and heats the aspiratedreagent momentarily to approximately 37 degrees Centigrade. That is, thereagent, which has been stored at low temperature (approximately 10degrees Centigrade) in the reagent storing part 6, is heated toapproximately 37 degrees Centigrade by the reagent dispensing arm 130,and then is mixed with the sample which has also been heated to 37degrees Centigrade. Thus, a measuring sample is prepared by addingreagent to a sample that has already been optically measured by thefirst optical information obtainer 90.

In the present embodiment, when reagent replacement is instructed duringthe operation of the reagent dispensing arm 130 and the dispensingoperation of the dispensing reagent is being performed from the reagenttable holding the specified reagent, the dispensing operation of thedispensing reagent by the reagent dispensing arm 130 from the reagenttable that holds the specified reagent is suspended. In this case, whenthe dispensing reagent is accommodated on another reagent table as wellwhich is different from the reagent table holding the specified reagent,the reagent dispensing arm 130 suspends the dispensing operation of thedispensing reagent from the table holding the specified reagent, anddoes not suspend the dispensing operation of the dispensing reagent holdon the other reagent table. When the dispensing reagent is only placedto the reagent table that holds the reagent specified for replacement,the reagent dispensing arm 130 stops the dispensing operation aftercompleting the dispensing operation of the dispensing reagent to thesample being heated by the heater 110 and the sample already dispensedwhen reagent replacement was specified (the sample awaiting the reagentdispensing). Thus, the sample already dispensed when the reagentreplacement was instructed is heated by the heater 110, and is measuredwithin a set time after heating. Similarly, the sample being heated inthe heater 110 when the reagent replacement was instructed is alsomeasured within a set time after heating.

The second optical information obtainer 140 functions to obtain opticalinformation from the measurement sample. The second optical informationobtainer 140 is configured by a cuvette feeder 141, and sensor 142disposed below the cuvette feeder 141, as shown in FIG. 5.

The sensor 142 of the second optical information obtainer 140 is capableof optically measuring (main measurement) of a measurement sample withina cuvette 200 under a plurality of conditions. The second opticalinformation obtainer 140 is electrically connected to the controller 4 aof the control unit 4, and transmits data (optical information) obtainedby the second optical information obtainer 140 to the controller 4 a ofthe control unit 4. Thus, the control unit 4 analyzes the data (opticalinformation) received from the second optical information obtainer 140based on the analysis result of the already obtained data (opticalinformation) from the first optical information obtainer 90.

The 660 nm wavelength light emitted from the beam splitter optical fiber102 is used as the main wavelength when measuring Fbg (fibrinogencontent), PT (prothrombin time), and APTT (active partial thromboplastintime). The 800 nm wavelength light is a sub wavelength used whenmeasuring Fbg, PT, and APTT. The 405 nm wavelength is used for measuringATIII, which is a measurement item in the synthetic substrate method,and 800 nm wavelength light is used to measure D dimer and FDP, whichare measurement items in the immunoturbidity method. The wavelength formeasuring platelet coagulation is 575 nm.

The urgent sample section 150 is provided for the analysis andprocessing for samples requiring urgent attention, as shown in FIGS. 3through 5. The urgent sample section 150 is configured so as to allow anurgent sample to interrupt an on-going sample analysis process of asample supplied from the transporting unit 3. The fluid flow section 160is provided to supply a fluid such as washing fluid to nozzles providedin each dispensing arm (sample dispensing arm 800 and reagent dispensingarm 130) during the shutdown process of the sample analyzer 1.

The cuvette supplying device 170 is capable of sequentially supplying aplurality of cuvettes 200 directly loaded by the user to the cuvettetransporting section 70. As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the cuvettesupplying device 170 includes a first hopper 171 a, second hopper 171 bthat is smaller than the first hopper 171 a and supplied cuvettes 200from the first hopper 171 a, two guide plates 172 for supplying cuvettes200 from the second hopper 171 b, support table 173 disposed below thebottom end of the two guide plates 172, and catchers 174 provided atpredetermined spacing from the support table 173. The cuvettes 200within the first hopper 171 a move through the second hopper 171 b,which is smaller than the first hopper 171 a, and fall from the top ofthe two guide plates 172 toward the support table 173. The support table173 functions to rotate the cuvettes 200 that have smoothly droppedalong the guide plates 172 to a position at which the cuvette 200 isable to be grabbed by the catcher 174. The catcher 174 is provided tosupply to the cuvette transporting section 70 those cuvettes 200 whichhave been moved by the support table 173.

As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the measuring unit 2 is provided with adisposal hole 181 for disposing of the cuvettes 200 (refer to FIGS. 3and 5), and a waste box 182 disposed below the disposal hole 181 at apredetermined distance from the previously mentioned catcher 174. Thecatcher 174 disposes of the cuvette 200 on the cuvette transportingtable 71 of the cuvette transporting section 70 through the disposalhole 181 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 5) and into the waste box 182. That is,the catcher 174 both supplies and disposes of the cuvettes 200.

The analysis operation of the sample analyzer 1 is described below withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The operation of performing measurementsusing the coagulation time method is described below.

The sample analyzer 1 is initialized by switching ON the respectivepower sources of the measuring unit 2 and control unit 4 of the sampleanalyzer 1 shown in FIG. 4. Thus, an operation is performed to returnthe devices for moving the cuvettes 200 and each dispensing arm (sampledispensing arm 80 and reagent dispensing arm 130) to their initialpositions, and the software stored in the controller 4 a of the controlunit 4 is initialized.

Then, the transporting unit 3 shown in FIG. 5 moves the rack 251 loadedwith test tubes 250 containing samples. In this way the rack 251 at therack placement region 3 a is moved to a position corresponding to theaspirating position 2 a of the measuring unit 2.

Next, a predetermined amount of the sample is aspirated from the testtube 250 by the sample dispensing arm 80. Then, the sample dispensingarm 80 is moved above the cuvette 200 held on the cuvette transportingtable 71 of the cuvette transporting section 70. Thereafter, part of thesample is allocated into the cuvette 200 by discharging sample from thedispensing arm 80 into the cuvette 200 on the cuvette transporting table71.

The cuvette transporting table 71 is then rotated, and the cuvette 200to which the sample was dispensed is moved to a position at whichmeasurements are able to be performed by the first optical informationobtainer 90. In this way optical information is obtained from the samplewhen the first optical information obtainer 90 optically measures thesample. Specifically, data, which is composed of electrical signalsderived from the five types of light (340 nm, 405 nm, 575 nm, 660 nm,800 nm) transmitted through the sample within the cuvette 200 held bythe cuvette holder 72 (refer to FIG. 5) of the cuvette transportingtable 71, are transmitted to the controller 4 a of the control unit 4.In this way optical information (first optical information) is obtainedfrom the sample when the first optical information obtainer 90 opticallymeasures the sample.

The controller 4 a of the control unit 4 calculates the light absorptionof the sample using the received data (first optical information), andcalculates the presence and concentration of the interference substances(chyle, hemoglobin, bilirubin) in the sample, using the received data(first optical information). Specifically, the controller 4 a of thecontrol unit 4 calculates the light absorption of the sample based onthe optical information (first optical information) obtained using fourtypes of light (405 nm, 575 nm, 660 nm, 800 nm) emitted from the lampunit 100, and stores the light absorption in the RAM 401 c.

Thereafter, a determination is made as to whether or not the lightabsorption at the main wavelength is below a threshold value among thelight absorptions stored in the RAM 401 c. Specifically, when the samplemeasurement item is an item using the coagulation time method such asPT, APTT, Fbg or the like, a determination is made as to whether or notthe light absorbance calculated from the first optical informationmeasured using light of the main 660 nm wavelength is less than athreshold value (for example, 2.0).

When the light absorption at the main wavelength calculated from thefirst optical information measured by the first optical informationobtainer 90 is less than the threshold value, the cuvette 200 is movedfrom the cuvette transporting table 71 to the heater 110 by the cuvettetransporting section 120. Then, the cuvette 200, which contains samplethat has been heated to approximately 37 degrees Centigrade by theheater 110, is grabbed by the catcher 121 of the cuvette transportingsection 120. While the cuvette 200 is held by the catcher 121, thereagent dispensing arm 130 is actuated and the reagent within thereagent container 300 placed on the reagent table (first reagent table11 or second reagent table 12) is added to the cuvette 200. The sampleand reagent within the cuvette 200 are then agitated by the oscillationfunction of the catcher 121. Thus, a measurement sample is prepared. Thecuvette 200 containing the measurement sample is then directly moved tothe cuvette feeder 141 of the second optical information obtainer 140.

The sensor 142 of the second optical information obtainer 140 obtainsoptical information (second optical information) from the measurementsample by optically measuring (main measurement) the measurement samplewithin a cuvette 200 under a plurality of conditions. Specifically,light is first emitted from the beam splitter optical fiber 102 of thelamp unit 100 toward the cuvette 200 of the cuvette feeder 141. Fivedifferent wavelength of light (340 nm, 405 nm, 575 nm, 660 nm, 800 nm)are emitted from the beam splitter optical fiber 132. Thus, data areobtained which are electrical signals corresponding to the light of eachwavelength that was emitted from the beam splitter optical fiber 132 andpassed through the cuvette 200 and the measurement sample within thecuvette sample.

The electrical signal data corresponding to the light of the fivedifferent wavelengths are sequentially transmitted to the controller 4 aof the control unit 4. In this way optical information (second opticalinformation) is obtained from the sample when the second opticalinformation obtainer 140 optically measures the sample.

When the light absorption at the main wavelength calculated from thefirst optical information measured by the first optical informationobtainer 90 is greater than the threshold value, a determination is madeas to whether or not the light absorption at the sub wavelengthcalculated from the first optical information measured by the firstoptical information obtainer 90 is less than the threshold value.Specifically, when the sample measurement item is an item using thecoagulation time method such as PT, APTT, Fbg or the like, adetermination is made as to whether or not the light absorbancecalculated from the first optical information measured using light ofthe main 800 nm wavelength is less than a threshold value (for example,2.0).

When the light absorption at the sub wavelength calculated from thefirst optical information measured by the first optical informationobtainer 90 is less than the threshold value, optical information(second optical information) is obtained from the measurement sample bythe second optical information obtainer 140.

However, when the light absorption at the sub wavelength calculated fromthe first optical information measured by the first optical informationobtainer 90 is greater than the threshold value, it is determined thatanalysis with high reliability is difficult due to the excessiveinfluence of interference substances (bilirubin, hemoglobin, and chyle)in the sample, and therefore the main measurement is terminated. Thus,wasteful use of reagent is prevented since a measurement specimen is notprepared by adding reagent to a sample that is not able to be analyzeddue to the excessive influence of interference substances. Thedetermination that highly reliable measurement is difficult (the causeof main measurement termination) occurs, for example, when light isblocked from passing through the sample due to the presence of largequantities of interference substances in the sample detected by thefirst optical information obtainer 90, such that the transmittance lightpassing through the sample is essentially undetectable.

After the second optical information has been obtained (mainmeasurement) by the second optical information obtainer 140, the secondoptical information of the measurement sample measured at the mainwavelength is transmitted to the controller 4 a of the control unit 4from among the plurality of the second optical information measured bythe second optical information obtainer 140 and analyzed by anapplication program 404 a installed on the hard disk 401 d of thecontroller 4 a. For example, when the sample measurement item is PT, thesecond optical information measured using the light of the mainwavelength 660 nm is transmitted to the controller 4 a of the controlunit 4. Thereafter, the controller 4 a, which has received the secondoptical information acquired at the main wavelength, outputs theanalysis result based on this second optical information.

Similarly, after the second optical information has been obtained (mainmeasurement) by the second optical information obtainer 140, the secondoptical information of the measurement sample measured at the subwavelength is transmitted to the controller 4 a of the control unit 4from among the plurality of the second optical information measured bythe second optical information obtainer 140 and analyzed by anapplication program 404 a installed on the hard disk 401 d of thecontroller 4 a. Specifically, when the sample measurement item is PT,the second optical information measured using the light of the mainwavelength 800 nm is transmitted to the controller 4 a of the controlunit 4. Thereafter, the controller 4 a, which has received the secondoptical information acquired at the sub wavelength, outputs the analysisresult based on this second optical information.

After the analysis is completed by the controller 4 a of the controlunit 4, the obtained analysis result is displayed on the display 4 b ofthe control unit 4. This completes the analysis of a sample by thesample analyzer 1.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating the flow of the measuring processof the controller 501 of the measuring unit 2 and the controller 4 a ofthe control unit 4 in the sample analyzer 1. The flow of the measuringprocess of the controller 501 and controller 4 a of the sample analyzer1 of the present embodiment is described below with reference to FIGS.1, 3, 7, and 21.

When the power source (not shown in the drawing) of the measuring unit 2is turned ON, the controller 501 is initialized (program initialization)and an operation check is performed of each part of the measuring unit 2in step S1. When the power source (not shown in the drawing) of thecontrol unit 4 is turned ON, the controller 4 a is initialized (programinitialization) in step S11. When the initialization of the controller501 is completed, the controller 501 requests an initializationcompleted signal indicating the initialization has been completed fromthe controller 4 a; when this initialization completed signal isreceived, the barcode reader 350 is controlled so as to read thebarcodes of all reagents and reagent racks placed in the reagent storingpart 6. The read barcode information is transmitted from the controller501 to the controller 4 a, and stored on the hard disk 401 d of thecontroller 4 a.

In step S12, the menu screen (not shown in the drawing) is displayed onthe display 4 b, the user presses the start button displayed on the menuscreen, and a measurement start signal is transmitted from thecontroller 4 a to the controller 501 in step S13. When the start buttonis not pressed in step S12, the process continues to step S17.

In step S2, a determination is made by controller 501 as to whether ornot a measurement start signal has been received; the process continuesto step S3 when it is determined that a measurement start signal hasbeen received, and the process continues to step S6 when it isdetermined that a measurement start signal has not been received.

In step S3, a process is performed to dispense reagent to the sample inthe cuvette 200. In step S4, the sample to which the reagent wasdispensed is measured by the first optical information obtainer 90 andthe second optical information obtainer 140, then, the measurementresults are transmitted from the controller 501 to the controller 4 a instep S5.

In step S14, a determination is made by the controller 4 a as to whetheror not the measurement results have been received; the process continuesto step S15 when the measurement results have been received, and theprocess moves to step S17 when the measurement results have not beenreceived. In step S15, the measurement results are analyzed by thecontroller 4 a, and these analysis results are stored on the hard disk401 d in step S16.

In step S17, the controller 4 a determines whether or not there is adisplay command to display the reagent placement screen 410 (whether ornot the reagent button (not shown in the drawing) has been pressed onthe main menu to display the reagent placement screen); the processadvances to step S18 when there is a display command to display thereagent placement screen 410, and the process advances to step S22 whenthere is not a display command to display the reagent placement screen410. In step S18, the controller 4 a displays the reagent placementscreen 410. When the reagent placement screen 410 is displayed, thecontroller 4 a displays the necessary information in the first reagentdisplay region 421, second reagent display region 422, and reagentinformation display region 430 in the reagent placement screen 410 basedon the barcode information read in step S1. (refer to FIG. 7).

In step S19, the controller 4 a determines whether or not a replacementreagent has been specified on the reagent placement screen 410 shown inthe display 4 b which has a touch panel function. The reagentspecification is described in detail below. That is, the user firstconfirms the placement of the reagent by referencing the reagentplacement display region 420 of the reagent placement screen 410 shownin FIG. 7. The user selects an optional reagent with a finger bydirectly touching the first reagent display region 421 or second reagentdisplay region 422 that displays the reagent among a plurality of firstreagent display regions 421 and second reagent display regions 422.After the user has determined the reagent to be replaced, the userselects either the first reagent display region 421 or second reagentdisplay region 422 that displays the selected reagent to be replaced.The process advances to step S20 when the controller 4 a has determinedthere is a reagent specification in step S19, and the process advancesto step S22 when the controller 4 a determines that no reagent has beenspecified. In FIG. 7, the reagent [PT-TPC+] at reagent position [A15-6]is specified, and the attribute information of reagent [PT-TPC+] isdisplayed in the reagent information display region 430.

When it is determined in step S20 that reagent replacement has beeninstructed, the controller 4 a performs the reagent replacement processand a reagent replacement signal is transmitted from the controller 4 ato the controller 501 in step S21. When it is determined in step S20that reagent replacement has not been instructed, the process continuesto step S22.

In step S22, the controller 4 a determines whether or not shutdown hasbeen instructed (whether or not the shutdown button (not shown in thedrawing) on the menu screen has been pressed); the process continues tostep S23 when shutdown has been instructed, and the process returns tostep S12 when shutdown has not been instructed. In step S23, a shutdownsignal is transmitted from the controller 4 a to the controller 501, thecontrol unit 4 shuts down and the process ends.

In step S6, the controller 501 determines whether or not a reagentreplacement signal has been received; the process continues to step S7when it is determined that a reagent replacement signal has beenreceived, and the process continues to step S8 when it is determinedthat a reagent replacement signal has not been received. In step S7, thecontroller 501 performs the reagent replacement process.

In step S8 a determination is made as to whether or not a shutdownsignal has been received; the process advances to step S9 when ashutdown signal has been received, and the process returns to step S2when a shutdown signal has not been received. In step S9, the measuringunit 2 shuts down and the process ends.

In the flow of the measuring process performed by the controller 501,steps S3, S4, and S7 are parallel processes and are performed inparallel. In the flow of the measuring process performed by thecontroller 4 a, steps S15, S18, and S21 are parallel processes and areperformed in parallel.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating the details of the reagentreplacement process of the controller 4 a executed in step S21 of theflow chart shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating thedetails of the reagent replacement process of the controller 501executed in step S7 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 21. The flows of thereagent replacement processes performed by the controller 4 a andcontroller 501 of the sample analyzer 1 of the present embodiment aredescribed below referring to FIGS. 3, 7, 22, and 23.

In step S41 of FIG. 23, the controller 501 determines whether or notthere is a sample awaiting reagent dispensing which uses the reagent onthe reagent table that includes racks holding specified reagent(hereinafter referred to as “replacement reagent table”); if there is asample awaiting reagent dispensing which uses the reagent on the reagentreplacement table when the reagent replacement signal has been received,the reagent is dispensed to the sample in step S42. Reagent is dispensedfrom the reagent replacement table to all samples awaiting reagentdispensing which use reagent on the reagent replacement table byrepeating steps S41 and S42. Thus, if there are samples awaiting reagentdispensing which use reagent from the reagent replacement table whenreagent replacement has been instructed, reagent is dispensed to thesamples prior to executing reagent replacement. Reagent must bedispensed after a predetermined time has elapsed once a sample has beendispensed to the cuvette 200 and measurement has been started, and ifthat sequence does not happen properly, the sample is not able to beused for measurement and must be scrapped. Accordingly, samples forwhich measurement has started (samples awaiting reagent dispensing) mustbe subjected to predetermined processing and measurements must becompleted without interruption. The controller 501 executes the stepssubsequent to step S43 to perform the reagent replacement operation whenthere are no samples which use reagent from the reagent replacementtable among the samples awaiting reagent dispensing when reagentreplacement has been instructed. That is, when there are no samplesawaiting reagent dispensing, or all samples use reagent from the reagentthat is not the reagent replacement table, the reagent replacementoperation is able to be performed since there is no need to access thereagent replacement table. Therefore, whether or not there is a samplewhich uses reagent from the reagent replacement table among the samplesawaiting reagent dispensing when reagent replacement has beeninstructed, no samples are wasted and reagent replacement is performedpromptly since the samples awaiting reagent dispensing are notinvalidated.

When it has been determined in step S41 that none of the samplesawaiting reagent dispensing will use reagent from the reagentreplacement table, then in step S43 the controller 501 rotates thereagent replacement table and move the first reagent container rack 310or second reagent container rack 320 holding the specified reagent tothe pick up position (below the first cover 30 or second cover 40) bycontrolling the first drive part 502 and second drive part 503. In thisprocess, the controller 501 issues a movement command to the drivecircuit of the reagent replacement table. When this command is receivedby the drive circuit, the drive circuit sets a reagent replacement flagin an internal status register. That is, the reagent replacement statusis set ON for the reagent replacement table that includes the reagentspecified by the user for replacement. Either the reagent replacementstatus for the first reagent table 11 or the reagent replacement statusfor the second reagent replacement table 12 is set ON. When the reagentcontainer rack holding the specified reagent is moved to the pick upposition, the controller 501 transmits a movement completion signal tothe controller 4 a that indicates the reagent container rack holding thespecified reagent has moved to the pick up position in step S44. Thecontroller 501 determines the amount of rotational movement of eachreagent table 11 and 12 from the origin position of the first reagenttable 11 and second reagent table 12 by counting the number of pulses ofthe pulse drive signals supplied to the first drive part 502 and seconddrive part 503. Therefore, the controller 501 recognizes that the firstreagent table 11 and second reagent table 12 have moved to the pick upposition by the amount of movement from the origin position, andgenerates a movement completion signal based on this recognition.

When the movement completion signal is transmitted from the controller501 to the controller 4 a, the controller 4 a determines whether or notthe movement completion signal has been received in step S31 of FIG. 22.When it is determined in step S33 that the movement completion signalhas been received, the user is indicated that the reagent container rackholding the specified reagent has been moved to the pick up position instep S32. Specifically, when the reagent container rack holding thespecified reagent has been moved to the pick up position, the LEDindicator 61 or LED indicator 62 in the reagent replacing part 7, whichhas been emitting red light while the reagent container rack is moving,now emits blue light. Thus, the user is indicated that the reagentcontainer rack that holds the specified reagent has been moved to thepick up position.

The user releases the locking device for the cover of the reagentreplacement table to perform the reagent replacement operation. A lockrelease signal is transmitted from the lock sensor of the cover to thecontroller 501, and in step S45 the controller 501 determines whether ornot the cover lock has been released. In the case of the first cover 30,the cover lock release operation entails the user rotating the handle 32of the first cover 30 in the opposite direction to the arrow A direction(refer to FIG. 13) to unlock the first cover 30. To unlock the secondcover 40, the user rotates the handle 42 of the second cover 40 in theopposite direction to the arrow C direction (refer to FIG. 13). Thedetermination that the lock has been released is performed as follows.When the first cover 30 or second cover 40 has been unlocked by rotatingthe handle 32 or handle 42 from the locked state in the oppositedirection to the arrow A direction or the opposite direction to thearrow C direction, there is a release of the pressing force of thepressing piece 35 b or 45 b that pushes the microswitch 51 a of thefirst sensor 51 or the microswitch 52 a of the second sensor 52.Therefore, the microswitch 51 a of the first sensor 51 or themicroswitch 52 a of the second sensor 52 detects the release of thecover lock, and either the first sensor 51 or second sensor 52 transmitsa detection signal to the controller 501.

The reagent replacement operation performed by the user entails the userremoving either the unlocked first cover 30 or unlocked second cover 40,and thereafter grasping and removing the handle 313 or 327) of thereagent container rack at the pick up position (below the first cover 30or second cover 40). Then, the user replaces the reagent container 300containing the specified reagent with a new reagent container 300containing fresh reagent. Subsequently, the reagent container rackholding the replaced reagent is returned to the pick up position, andthe user attaches and locks the first cover 30 or second cover 40. Inthe case of the first cover 30, the cover locking operation entails theuser rotating the handle 32 of the first cover 30 in the arrow Adirection (refer to FIG. 13) to lock the first cover 30. To lock thesecond cover 40, the user rotates the handle 42 of the second cover 40in the arrow C direction (refer to FIG. 13).

A lock signal is transmitted from the lock sensor of the cover to thecontroller 501, and in step S46 the controller 501 determines whether ornot the cover is locked. The determination of whether or not the coveris locked in step S46 is performed as follows. When the first cover 30or second cover 40 has been locked by rotating the handle 32 or handle42 from the unlocked state in the arrow A direction or the arrow Cdirection, the microswitch 51 a of the first sensor 51 or themicroswitch 52 a of the second sensor 52 is pressed, and the firstsensor 51 or second sensor 52 transmits a detection signal to thecontroller 501. Thus, it is determined that the cover is locked.

When the controller 501 has determined in step S46 that the first cover30 or second cover 40 is locked, a barcode reading operation isperformed in step S47. In the barcode reading operation, the controller501 controls the first reagent container table 11 or second reagentcontainer table 12, and the barcode reader 350 so as to have the barcodereader 350 read the barcodes of the first reagent container rack 310 orsecond reagent container rack 320 holding the replaced reagent.Specifically, when reading the second reagent container rack 320 andbarcodes 300 a, and 321 b through 326 b or 321 c through 326 c of thereagent containers 300 held in the second reagent container rack 320,the barcode 321 b identifying the position information is initially readwhile the second reagent table 12 is rotated in the arrow G direction(counterclockwise direction). Thereafter, the barcode 300 a identifyingthe reagent information or barcode 321 c identifying absent containerinformation is read, and subsequently the barcode 322 b identifyingposition information is read. In this way the position information(barcodes 321 b through 326 b), and reagent information corresponding tothe position information (barcode 300 a) or absent container information(barcodes 321 c through 326 c) are alternately read.

When reading the barcodes 300 a, and 311 b through 312 b or 311 cthrough 312 c of the first reagent container rack 310 and reagentcontainers 300 held in the first reagent rack 310, the second reagenttable 12 is first rotated to have the gap 12 a of the second reagenttable 12 reach the position opposite the barcode reader 350. Thereafter,the barcode reader 350 alternately reads the position information(barcodes 311 b through 312 b), reagent information corresponding to theposition information (barcode 300 a), and absent container information(barcodes 311 c through 312 c) while the first reagent table 11 isrotating in the arrow G direction (counterclockwise direction) throughthe gap 12 a (refer to FIG. 5) similar to when reading the secondreagent container racks 320 and barcodes holding the second reagentcontainer rack 320. The read position information, and reagentinformation corresponding to the position information or absentcontainer information are transmitted to the controller 501 and storedin RAM 501 c.

In step S48, the controller 501 transmits the barcode readinginformation stored in the RAM 501 c to the controller 4 a.

When the barcode reading information is transmitted from the controller501 to the controller 4 a, the controller 4 a determines in step S33whether or not the barcode reading information has been received. Whenthe controller 4 a determines that the barcode reading information hasbeen received in step S33, the barcode reading information is stored onthe hard disk 401 d in step S34. In step S35, the controller 4 a refersto the reagent master table, reagent lot master table, and containermaster table to obtain detailed information such as reagent name, typeof container, lot number, and valid period and the like for all reagentsin the reagent racks holding replaced reagent based on the barcodereading information (read position information, reagent informationcorresponding to the position information or absent containerinformation) stored on the hard disk 401 d. In step S36, the controller4 a displays the detailed information including position information,obtained reagent name, container type, lot number, and valid period inthe first reagent display region 421 or second reagent display region422 and reagent display region 430 of the reagent placement screen 410.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating the details of the dispensingprocess of the controller 501 executed in step S3 of the flow chartshown in FIG. 21. The flow of the dispensing process performed by thecontroller 501 of the sample analyzer 1 of the present embodiment isdescribed below referencing FIGS. 3, 5, and 21.

First, in step S51, the controller 501 controls the sample barcodereader 3 c to read the barcode adhered to the test tube 250 containingthe sample transported by the transporting unit 3. In step S52, thecontroller 501 obtains an order based on the read barcode information,and the process continues to step S53. In step S53, the controller 501determines whether or not the reagent replacement status has been turnedON for the first reagent table 11 or second reagent table 12. Thisprocess is performed by confirming the internal status registers of thedrive circuit of the replacement reagent table by controller 501. Instep S53 a determination is made that the reagent replacement status isturned ON for either the first reagent table 11 or the second reagenttable 12, the process continues to step S54. When it has been determinedin step S53 that neither reagent replacement status has been turned ON,the process continues to step S56. The order is described below. Theorder is information including the analysis items associated with theinformation specifying the sample. The order may be recorded on the hostcomputer (not shown in the drawing) connected to the control unit 4, andis able to be stored manually by the user in the control unit 4. Afterthe sample barcode has been read, the control unit 4 searches the ordersstored in the control unit 4 and obtains a matching order using thesample ID as a key search term to the host computer. The order obtainedby the control unit 4 is transmitted from the controller 4 a of thecontrol unit 4 to the controller 501 of the measuring unit 2, and thecontroller 501 obtains the order.

In step S56, the controller 501 controls the sample dispensing drivepart 80 a in accordance with the order, the sample contained in the testtube 250 transported by the transporting part 3 is aspirated by thesample dispensing arm 80, and the aspirated sample is dispensed into acuvette 200 held by the cuvette holder 72 of the cuvette transportingtable 71. In step S57, the controller 501 controls the reagentdispensing drive part 130 a, and the reagent is aspirated through theholes 22 a, 22 b, or 22 c of the outer wall 20 of the reagent storingpart 6 by the reagent dispensing arm 130, and the aspirated reagent isdispensed into a cuvette 200 that has been heated.

When the controller 501 has determined that the reagent replacementstatus has been turned ON for either the first reagent table 11 orsecond reagent table 12 in step S53, a determination is made in step S54as to whether or not the reagent analysis items specified in the orderuse a reagent held on the reagent replacement table. When it has beendetermined in step S54 that the reagent analysis items specified in theorder do not use a reagent from the reagent replacement table, theprocess continues to steps S56 and S57, and the previously describedprocessing is performed. When it has been determined in step S54 thatthe reagent analysis items specified in the order do use a reagent fromthe reagent replacement table, the obtained order is deferred in stepS55. The processes of steps 51 through 55 are repeated until it has beendetermined that the analysis items specified in the order do not use areagent from the reagent replacement table. The processes of steps S56and S57A are sequentially executes for deferred order when it has beendetermined that the analysis items specified in an obtained order do notuse a reagent from the reagent replacement table.

Thus, in the present embodiment, when reagent replacement is instructed,dispensing is suspended from the reagent table that includes the reagentspecified for replacement, and dispensing is executed from the reagenttable that does not include reagent specified for replacement.

Reagent replacement is performed in the above manner in the presentembodiment.

In the present embodiment, as described above, when a reagentreplacement is instructed, the reagent container 300 that contains thereagent the user wants to replace is moved to the pick up position bycontrolling the reagent table (first reagent table 11 or second reagenttable 12) so as to move the reagent container 300 containing thespecified reagent to the position at which it is able to be picked up.

In the present embodiment, a user confirms the placement of the reagentcontainers 300 arranged on the reagent tables and specified the reagentsto be replaced by displaying the placement of the reagent containers 300disposed on the first reagent table 11 or second reagent table 12 on thereagent placement screen 410 of the display 4 b.

In the present embodiment, a user is able to easily specify at least onesingle reagent from the first reagent display region 421 or secondreagent display region 422 of the reagent placement screen 410 via aconfiguration that allows at least one reagent to be specified on thereagent placement screen 410 as described above.

In the present embodiment, a user is able to confirm the attributeinformation of a specified reagent by displaying the attributeinformation of a specified reagent in the reagent placement displayregion 420 in the reagent information display region 430 of the reagentplacement screen 410 as described above.

In the present embodiment, a user is able to easily manage reagents whena reagent has been replaced by obtaining reagent information from thebarcode 300 a of the reagent container 300 containing the replacedreagent using the barcode reader 350 after the reagent has beenreplaced.

In the present embodiment, the reagent information of a replaced reagentis able to be obtained even when the reagent that was replaced isdifferent from the specified reagent placed in the same reagentcontainer rack as the specified reagent by obtaining reagent informationfrom the barcodes 300 a of the all the reagent containers 300 held inthe reagent container rack (first reagent container rack 310 or secondreagent container rack 320) that holds the reagent container 300containing the replaced reagent after the reagent has been replaced.

In the present embodiment, a reagent container rack that has been movedto the pick up position is able to be easily removed and a new reagentcontainer 300 is able to be placed therein by opening the first cover 30or second cover 40 since the first cover 30 and second cover 40 areconfigured so as to be openable at the pick up position of the reagentcontainer rack that holds the reagent container containing a specifiedreagent.

Reagent information is able to be obtained automatically via the locksof the first cover 30 or second cover 40 without performing a specialoperation to obtain reagent information since reagent information of areplaced reagent is able to be automatically obtained by the barcodereader 350 when the lock status has been detected by the first sensor 51or second sensor 52.

In the present embodiment, reagent placed in one of the first reagenttable 11 and the second reagent table 12 is able to be replaced when ameasurement sample is to be analyzed using reagent placed in the othertable among the first reagent table 11 or second reagent table 12 byproviding a first reagent table that is rotatable and places a pluralityof reagent containers 300 in a circle, and a second reagent table thatis disposed concentrically to the first reagent table and is alsorotatable and places reagent containers 300 in a circle.

In the present embodiment, a user is able to easily confirm that areagent has been moved to the pick up position since the user isindicated of the arrival of the specified reagent at the pick uppositioned by the LED indicators 61 or 62.

The embodiments described here are to be considered as examples in allaspects and in no way limiting. The scope of the present invention isdefined by the scope of the claims and not be the description of theembodiment, and includes all modifications within the scope of theclaims and the meanings and equivalences therein.

For example, although the present embodiment is described by an examplein which the reagent placement screen 410 is displayed on the display 4a of the control unit 4, the present invention is not limited to thisconfiguration inasmuch as a display may also be provided for themeasuring unit so that the reagent placement screen is able to bedisplayed on the display unit of the measuring unit.

Although a user manually unlocks and removes a cover (first cover 30 orsecond cover 40) in the example of the present embodiment, the presentinvention is not limited to this configuration inasmuch as the cover(first cover 30 or second cover 40) may be automatically unlocked whenthe reagent container rack (first reagent container rack 310 or secondreagent container rack 320) holding the replacement reagent has beenmoved to the pick up position. In this case, the user is able to beindicated of the unlocked condition via the LED indicators 61 and 62, oron the display 4 b of the control unit 4.

Although a user is indicated that the reagent container rack (firstreagent container rack 310 or second reagent container rack 320) holdingthe replacement reagent has been moved to the pick up position by theLED indicator 61 or 62 in the present embodiment, the present inventionis not limited to this configuration inasmuch as the user may also beindicated by the display 4 b of the control unit 4.

Although reagent is specified for replacement or addition by a userpressing a reagent replacement-addition button 440 a after selecting thefirst reagent display region 421 or second reagent display region 422 ofthe reagent placement screen 410 by hand in the example of the presentembodiment, the present invention is not limited to this example. Forexample, reagent may also be specified for replacement or addition by auser pressing a reagent replacement-addition button 440 a afterselecting a reagent rack region on the reagent placement screen 410corresponding to the first reagent container rack 310 or second reagentcontainer rack 320 by hand.

Although the process of moving the reagent table is performed by thecontroller 501 in the example of the present embodiment, the process ofmoving the reagent table may be performed by the controller 4 a.

1. A sample analyzer for analyzing a sample, comprising: a holdingsection comprising a plurality of holding regions for holding reagentcontainers, each of the reagent containers containing a reagent, andbeing capable of moving the holding regions, wherein only a portion ofthe holding regions are populated with reagent containers; an analyzingunit for analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample andthe reagent contained in the reagent container held by the holdingsection; a reader for reading identification information attached to areagent container held by the holding section; an input device; adisplay; a controller configured to perform operations comprising:controlling the display so as to display a screen showing a plurality ofdisplay areas corresponding to the plurality of holding regionsrespectively, the display areas being selectable, obtaining reagent nameinformation which represents the name of a reagent contained in a firstreagent container, based on the identification information of the firstcontainer read by the reader; selectively displaying the obtainedreagent name information on a first display area corresponding to afirst holding region which holds the first reagent container, whereinthe display includes a second display area corresponding to anunpopulated holding region and wherein reagent name information is notdisplayed in the second display area; receiving, through the inputdevice, a selection of the second display area from the plurality ofdisplay areas; and controlling the holding section so as to move thesecond holding region to a container-addition position at which the asecond reagent container is added to the holding section.
 2. The sampleanalyzer of claim 1, wherein the screen includes an attributeinformation display area which is arranged separately from the pluralityof display areas; and the controller is further configured to performoperations comprising: obtaining, based on the identificationinformation of the first reagent container, attribute information of thereagent in the first reagent container including the reagent nameinformation, when the first display area has been selected, anddisplaying the obtained attribute information in the attributeinformation display area.
 3. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to control the holding section and the readerso as to read identification reagent information of the second reagentcontainer after the second reagent container has been added to theholding section.
 4. The sample analyzer of claim 3, wherein the holdingsection is configured to hold a plurality of reagent racks for holdingthe reagent containers, and wherein the controller is configured tocontrol the holding section and the reader so as to read identificationinformation attached to a reagent container held in a reagent rack whichholds the a second reagent container.
 5. The sample analyzer of claim 1,further comprising a cover for covering the holding section, wherein thecover is configured to be openable and closable at the containeraddition position.
 6. The sample analyzer of claim 5, furthercomprising: a locking part for locking the cover; and a locking statedetector for detecting a locking state of the cover by the locking part,wherein the controller is configured to control the holding section andthe reader so as to read identification information of the added secondreagent container, when the locking state detector has detected thelocking state after the second reagent container has been added to theholding section.
 7. The sample analyzer of claim 5, further comprising alocking part for locking the cover, wherein the controller is configuredto control the locking part so as to release the lock of the cover whenthe second holding region has arrived at the container additionposition.
 8. The sample analyzer of claim 1, wherein the holding sectioncomprises: a rotatable first holding part for holding reagent containerscircularly; and a rotatable second holding part for holding reagentcontainers circularly, and wherein the second holding part is arrangedconcentrically relative to the first holding part.
 9. The sampleanalyzer of claim 1, further comprising an indicator for indicating thatthe second holding region has arrived at the container additionposition.
 10. The sample analyzer of claim 7, further comprising anindicator for indicating that the lock of the cover by the locking parthas been released by the controller.
 11. The sample analyzer of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to perform operations comprising:receiving, through the input device, a selection of the first displayarea from the plurality of display areas shown on the screen; andcontrolling the holding section so as to move the first holding regionto the container addition position in order to replace the first reagentcontainer on the first holding region.